Gran Hotel La Perla

An 1881 landmark anchoring the northwest corner of Plaza del Castillo, Gran Hotel La Perla is the oldest hotel in Pamplona and the only address directly on the square where Hemingway watched the San Fermín crowds from his regular room — number 217, still bookable today.

The five-star property runs a full-service restaurant and terrace bar overlooking the plaza's wrought-iron bandstand, with room service and breakfast-in-room available around the clock. Soundproofed rooms matter here: the square stays lively well past midnight during July's running of the bulls.

Plaza del Castillo is Pamplona's social core, with the old town's tapas bars of Calle Estafeta one block east and the city's bus terminal under fifteen minutes on foot. Bicycle rental is available at the desk for reaching the citadel parklands.